By Yasmin Angoe
I get asked about how I come up with my settings in my books, and I figured I’d finally share why I always seem to write about woods, forests, or swamps. My latest newly published thriller, Behind These Four Walls, takes place on a fictional mountain inspired by Carter Mountain in Charlottesville. I have come to realize that I have some kind of childhood fear of being deep in the woods.
The first time I visited Carter Mountain, I drove by myself on that terrifying mountain and couldn’t understand how my sister drove up and down daily on this treacherous road, in the winter, in the dark. All I could imagine was how far was the fall down the drop from the narrow two lane road—one lane up and one lane down. I never forgot that feeling of looking out in the vast nothingness and knowing there was nothing but air and a serious drop just on the other side of the metal railing. She just laughed at me and called me a wimp. Pfft!
I had a jungle in books two and three of my Nena Knight series. They weren’t as scary, but they were there. My last couple of books definitely had the forest in them, and I used this setting as an antagonist to my main character. In the book that I’m currently revising, there’s a forest in it, too. It’s still sinister, but this time my main character will be embracing it — though I can’t say how it’ll act with other characters.
For someone who loves horror books and movies, as someone who writes thrillers, you’d think the forest wouldn’t bother me so much. But it does! I’ll tell you why. It’s because they can look so beautiful and vast…and so scary and claustrophobic at the same time, day or night. Doesn’t matter to me. I get freaked out. But I’m also in awe of them. Of all the things that can happen inside, and no one would know. Of all the life that goes on in there. Of the things that go bump in the night and watch you with glittering eyes in the dark. Of the lone twig snap when you think you’re alone.
This fear began when I was young. One of my mom’s jobs was as an elderly caregiver. The lady’s family was very well off and they lived in an affluent part of Northern Virginia that was a heavily wooded neighborhood with rolling hills, lots of trees, and absolutely no streetlights. It was definitely the woods. When we dropped the lady off to her family at night, I’d be left alone in the back of mom’s Toyota. The house was just down the drive, not far. It was well lit. But all around us were dark, towering trees and monsters dead-set on eating cute, little Yasmin. I would hide under my jacket until my mother returned to the car. I never told her I was scared of the woods because I wasn’t about to cause an issue for her. I just kept my trusty jacket nearby and always made sure it was big enough to cover me.
Now when you read my books and the clawing feeling of fear is visceral, you know why. It’s because it’s been real for me. And it, a real life experience turned on its head, is used to create settings for my readers where they can feel like they are there, where the character’s (and author’s) fear becomes their own for a little while. So, know when you read something from me, I’ve gone all in for you.
Readers, what books embody your personal fears?
I’m the total opposite! The woods (they weren’t very large) and the creek behind my house was where I spent my happiest times as a kid. I’m about to move to an isolated house on top of a mountain and couldn’t be more excited! But of course mine aren’t as scary as the ones in your books…at least I hope not!!!
It’s fascinating that you use your fear of forests in your thrillers. I never thought of that angle. In any event, thanks for being our guest blogger here on RWW…..Karna Small Bodman